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SMD marking

S3in SOD-123

Marking codes are not standardised, and the same code is reused by unrelated makers for unrelated parts. Below is every part in our tables printed with it, and any printed with a code that is easy to misread as it, from the manufacturers' own marking tables.

2 parts are printed S3

Not sure which one you have?

Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 2 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.

  • SD101CWSOD-123Schottky diode, JSCJ
    What it is
    Schottky diode
    Maker
    JSCJ
    Package
    SOD-123
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Schottky diode, 40 V, 0.015 A
    Source
    From the manufacturer's datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.15 to 0.45 V anode to cathode, roughly half a silicon diode, and open the other way.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    On the board:
    On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A large Schottky can read about 0.1 V forward and beep like a short, and leaks a little the wrong way when good, more when warm. It is shorted only if it reads the same both ways. Measure it cold, beside an identical cold one.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

    Datasheetfor SD101CW, opens in a new tab
  • 1 more part has no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
    • BBY51Infineon
      What it is
      Not recorded
      Maker
      Infineon
      Package
      Not recorded
      Pins
      Not recorded
      Source
      From the manufacturer's datasheet

      Is it dead?

      Diode range and ohms range, part lifted.

      Working, it reads

      Depends on what it is. The datasheet, or an identical part, says.

      Dead, it reads

      • Between two pins, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
      • Open between every pair of pins: failed open, or a part that reads open when working.
      On the board:
      On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
      Compare:
      If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.

      A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

      Datasheetfor BBY51, opens in a new tab
1 more part is printed with a code easy to misread as S3

Printed with a code easy to misread

One character differs, and it is one that is easy to confuse under a lamp. The odd one out is marked on each.

  • BAT17printed 53Schottky diode, Infineon

    Printed 53 on the part. Easy to misread as S3. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.

    What it is
    Schottky diode
    Maker
    Infineon
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Source
    From the manufacturer's datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.15 to 0.45 V anode to cathode, roughly half a silicon diode, and open the other way.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    On the board:
    On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A large Schottky can read about 0.1 V forward and beep like a short, and leaks a little the wrong way when good, more when warm. It is shorted only if it reads the same both ways. Measure it cold, beside an identical cold one.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

    Datasheetfor BAT17, opens in a new tab
2 more parts have codes that begin with S3

Codes that begin with S3

For a marking with its end worn or burnt off. Each one shows its full printed code.

MOSFET, all Panjit.

  • PJQ5536S6VC-AUprinted 536S6VC

    Printed 536S6VC. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    MOSFET
    Maker
    Panjit
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Source
    From the manufacturer's datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted. Test drain to source first, then short gate to source and test again.

    Working, it reads

    One way between drain and source reads about 0.4 to 0.9 V, the body diode, and the other way open. The gate reads open to both other pins.

    Dead, it reads

    • Drain to source the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep, and still so after shorting gate to source: shorted. The classic failure.
    • The gate reads low to source or drain: gate shorted.
    • No body diode at all: failed open.
    On the board:
    On the board the gate usually has a resistor to the source, which reads as that resistor and is not a fault. Lift a leg to be sure.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    The diode range can charge the gate enough to turn the part on, and then drain to source reads near 0 both ways on a good part. Short gate to source and test again before you condemn it.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

    Datasheetfor PJQ5536S6VC-AU, opens in a new tab
  • PJQ5538S6VC-AUprinted 538S6VC

    Printed 538S6VC. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    MOSFET
    Maker
    Panjit
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Source
    From the manufacturer's datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted. Test drain to source first, then short gate to source and test again.

    Working, it reads

    One way between drain and source reads about 0.4 to 0.9 V, the body diode, and the other way open. The gate reads open to both other pins.

    Dead, it reads

    • Drain to source the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep, and still so after shorting gate to source: shorted. The classic failure.
    • The gate reads low to source or drain: gate shorted.
    • No body diode at all: failed open.
    On the board:
    On the board the gate usually has a resistor to the source, which reads as that resistor and is not a fault. Lift a leg to be sure.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    The diode range can charge the gate enough to turn the part on, and then drain to source reads near 0 both ways on a good part. Short gate to source and test again before you condemn it.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

    Datasheetfor PJQ5538S6VC-AU, opens in a new tab

Open this in the search to correct a character or try another package.